Depends on usage of course....
Don't want to shoot bears with a .38 or
Don't want to shoot people with a .44 mag.
Don't want to shoot bears with a .38 or
Don't want to shoot people with a .44 mag.
What is your favorite handgun caliber?
- Thread starter Birdgun
- Start date
Bill Bates
Member
Hands down, .44 Special is my favorite caliber. Every time I shoot one my .44 spl. I get a big smile on my face. I have loads that are mild to wild. It makes a great paper puncher with mild loads and it can be loaded to be a good defense round either, man or beast. Yes, it really is special.
Deadeye Dick
Member
My overall favorite would be the .22lr.
*Can be used in either semi-automatic pistols or revolvers.
* Very economical to shoot, you get more bangs for the buck stretching the
budget to allowing for more practice and plinking.
* Takes up little space & weight so a goodly amount can be carried with a small pistol or revolver (kit gun) in a backpack or with your fishing tackle.
* Good for taking small game & pests.
No, I would not use it as a defensive round unless forced to by circumstances, but the question was not what is your favorite carry or self defense round.
*Can be used in either semi-automatic pistols or revolvers.
* Very economical to shoot, you get more bangs for the buck stretching the
budget to allowing for more practice and plinking.
* Takes up little space & weight so a goodly amount can be carried with a small pistol or revolver (kit gun) in a backpack or with your fishing tackle.
* Good for taking small game & pests.
No, I would not use it as a defensive round unless forced to by circumstances, but the question was not what is your favorite carry or self defense round.
mike from st pete
Member
All my pistols are 9x19
38/357 and 44 for revolvers and the ever present 22LR.
38/357 and 44 for revolvers and the ever present 22LR.
scattershot
Member
.45ACP, in revolvers and bottomfeeders.
gwpercle
Member
Mine is the unloved redheaded step child of the gun world...
The Remington 41 Magnum along with the model 58 S&W , it's my avatar. Casting and reloading for it maximizes versatility.
Gary
The Remington 41 Magnum along with the model 58 S&W , it's my avatar. Casting and reloading for it maximizes versatility.
Gary
Spokes
Member
357/38 special if I could shoot mostly my own reloads.
If I have to go by the rules of the indoor range I am shooting at it would be 9mm because I have to shoot factory ammunition and it's the cheapest...
Third would be one of my 357 Sig's..
If I have to go by the rules of the indoor range I am shooting at it would be 9mm because I have to shoot factory ammunition and it's the cheapest...
Third would be one of my 357 Sig's..
oddshooter
Member
I'm 69 now, but growing up in Texas shooting SAA, it was the 32-20 my step father had with matching lever gun. Of course, there was 45 Colt everywhere.
Then came my true love, the 38/357, for 50 years. I still have beaucoup revolvers in that caliber and it goes on every outing. I have dozens of different recipes depending on the gun. I also loved the 44 magnum, and especially the 44 Special, when I loaded it to 38/357mag velocities (900-1100fps).
But in 2012, I won a GB auction for a 357 Magnum, but by total accident and seller ignorance, I got a new caliber. When I picked it up it said 357 Maximum. I started complaining and my gunsmith FFL said, "Shut up! You won the lottery." Shoot this one time and you will be hooked. Truer words were never spoken. The caliber was expensive when you could find it, so I restarted my handloading again. I now love handloading as a fun hobby.
So my caliber choice is BEST
I shoot the wonderful 38 special (700-1000fps), the awesome 357 Magnum (900-1350fps), and the perfect 357 Maximum (1400-1700fps) all in the same gun. How can you beat that? Hell fire when you load two of each in that sixgun at the same time.
Velocities up to 1800fps and much milder recoil than a 44 Magnum. Flat shooting out to 100 yards plus. It hits steel HARD.
I now have the 357 Maximum in T/C Contender and Encore, Seville, Rugers, Dan Wessons, and Magnum Research.
But I'm sure you guys will hate it. Don't buy it. It's horrible.
Then came my true love, the 38/357, for 50 years. I still have beaucoup revolvers in that caliber and it goes on every outing. I have dozens of different recipes depending on the gun. I also loved the 44 magnum, and especially the 44 Special, when I loaded it to 38/357mag velocities (900-1100fps).
But in 2012, I won a GB auction for a 357 Magnum, but by total accident and seller ignorance, I got a new caliber. When I picked it up it said 357 Maximum. I started complaining and my gunsmith FFL said, "Shut up! You won the lottery." Shoot this one time and you will be hooked. Truer words were never spoken. The caliber was expensive when you could find it, so I restarted my handloading again. I now love handloading as a fun hobby.
So my caliber choice is BEST
I shoot the wonderful 38 special (700-1000fps), the awesome 357 Magnum (900-1350fps), and the perfect 357 Maximum (1400-1700fps) all in the same gun. How can you beat that? Hell fire when you load two of each in that sixgun at the same time.
Velocities up to 1800fps and much milder recoil than a 44 Magnum. Flat shooting out to 100 yards plus. It hits steel HARD.
I now have the 357 Maximum in T/C Contender and Encore, Seville, Rugers, Dan Wessons, and Magnum Research.
But I'm sure you guys will hate it. Don't buy it. It's horrible.
Last edited:
jakebrake
Member
45 acp. big and heavy.
tnhawk
Member
45 acp remains my favorite but I've recently bought two 10 mm pistols.
mg357
Absent Comrade
.38 special
Eddie Southgate
Member
.44 Special
sfcgragg
US Veteran
It depends on personal preference and applicability...
For self-defense, I lean toward 9mm and .380 semi-automatics for their compact size (Conceal Carry), and inexpensive ammo (especially reloading). But for hunting, I use a Ruger Super Redhawk (scope mounted) for its energy co-efficiency and pure power for larger game.
For self-defense, I lean toward 9mm and .380 semi-automatics for their compact size (Conceal Carry), and inexpensive ammo (especially reloading). But for hunting, I use a Ruger Super Redhawk (scope mounted) for its energy co-efficiency and pure power for larger game.
sfcgragg
US Veteran
I got my wife a .38 special for Christmas a few years ago. She loves it. I purchased some shot-shells for it, because she berry picks a lot, and we have timber rattlers around here, sooooo
Streetdog262
Member
45 ACP is still my favorite, but I shoot more 9mm these days.
Rosco Shooter
Member
I'm still trying to make up my mind. I shoot 22 LR, 9mm, 40S&W, 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP. I'm also trying to distinguish between liking the gun and liking the caliber.
Chalk one up for....
....the wonderful .357 magnum.
....the wonderful .357 magnum.
Depends on the day.
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